7 Best Lipsticks For Thin Lips
These high-impact color lipsticks plump up your lips and keep them hydrated all day.

Image: StyleCraze Design Team
It can be tricky to find the best lipstick for thin lips, but in the list below, we have compiled a few shades that deliver high-impact color and are suitable for all lip types and skin tones. Elizabeth Hickman, a hair and makeup artist says, “My tip for thin lips is using a lip liner and going right above the edge of the natural lip line, just barely filling out the outer part and it will instantly add to the lips without looking fake and will help the lip color stay and last longer.” You don’t need to think of going under the knife to get a pair of plump, full lips. Instead, go for the more sensible and economical alternative – the plumping lipstick!
In This Article
7 Best Lipsticks For Thin Lips
1. Best Non-Sticky Formula:L’Oreal Paris Makeup Colour Riche Plump & Shine in Watermelon Plump
This lipstick from L’Oreal gives a refreshing and cooling sensation to your lips with every application. The unique formula glides on your lips smoothly and makes them look glossy and moisturized. The lipstick contains menthol, which offers a cooling effect and stimulates blood circulation to make your lips look plumper. It is infused with fine oils and pure pigments from watermelon. The nourishing and ultra-hydrating lipstick offers a glossy and shiny finish. Check out the detailed review of the product in this video.
Pros
- Non-sticky
- Long-lasting shine
- No feathering
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Dries out quickly
- Tingles slightly
2. Best Lightweight Formula:NYX Lingerie Push-Up Long-Lasting Lipstick
The NYX Lingerie Push-Up Long Lasting Lipstick glides on your lips smoothly for a plush and glossy perfection. The creamy formula plumps your lips with a matte finish. The retractable crayon lipstick offers the precision of a lip liner and comes with a pro-shaped bullet design and a built-in sharpener. This lipstick provides full coverage to your lips and is available in 12 unique shades that make your lips appear soft and plump. Watch this video of the product for more information.
Pros
- Non-drying
- Lightweight
- Smudge-proof
- Cruelty-free
- Transfer-proof
Cons
- Not long-lasting
- Does not glide easily on the lips.

For a natural look, ensure that you line the lips right above the natural lip line, do not go over the top.
3. Best Cruelty-Free Lipstick:LIPFUSION InFATuation
This liquid-based lipstick plumps up your lips with a glossy shine. It is formulated with amplified technology to enhance the natural collagen synthesis of the lips and achieve fuller volume. The smooth texture of the lipstick glides on your lips easily to lend a high-impact shine. The high-precision lipstick brush delivers a seamless application to provide full coverage to your lips. It is available in nine shades. Go through this video review for a detailed understanding of the product.
Pros
- Goes on smooth
- Smells good
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Silicone-free
Cons
- Slightly sticky
4. Best Long-Lasting Option:BUXOM Full Force Plumping Lipstick
This lipstick from BUXOM instantly plumps your pout and adds shine for a visibly fuller look. It is formulated with hyaluronic acid, jojoba, and olive oil that keep your lips hydrated and moisturized. The creamy formula provides full coverage. The tip of the lipstick is shaped like a teardrop for smooth and precise application. This lipstick is available in16 bold and flattering shades.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Glides on smoothly
- Non-drying
- No feathering
- Light scent
Cons
- Transfers easily

Line the entire lips with the lip liner to keep the lipstick layer lasting longer.
5. Best Bleed-Proof Formula:Laura Geller Beauty Italian Marble Lipstick
The Laura Geller Beauty Italian Marble Lipstick offers light, sheer coverage. It gives a long-lasting tint and rejuvenates dry and cracked lips. The formula ensures that the color does not settle into your fine lines or blemishes while delivering hydration and softness to the lips. The ingredients, including vitamin E and castor oil, nourish the lips and lock in adequate moisture for a plumped effect.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Nourishing formula
- Transfer-resistant
- Smudge-proof
- Lightweight
Cons
- None
6. Best Buildable Coverage:wet n wild Rose Comforting Lip Color – Pecan Glaze
The wet n wild Rose Comforting Lip Color in the shade “Pecan Glaze” is enriched with lip-loving ingredients like rosehip oil, passionfruit seed oil, vitamin E acetate, and raspberry extract, that offer a soothing effect and enhance the shine on your lips. The formula is easy to glide and provides a sheer tint that can be built on for a fuller and more dramatic effect.
Pros
- Moisturizing ingredients
- Soothing formula
- Glides smoothly
- Paraben-free
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- None
7. Best Highly Pigmented Formula:it Cosmetics Matte Lipstick
The it Cosmetics Matte Lipstick is highly pigmented for a lasting finish and buildable coverage. The plumping lipstick delivers a high color payoff in a single swipe. It is infused with hyaluronic filling spheres, collagen, and a Tri-Oil complex to keep your lips moisturized, plump, and protected. While the hyaluronic filling spheres reduce the appearance of lip lines and wrinkles, collagen makes your lips look fuller. The Tri-Oil Complex moisturizes and soothes the lips. Other ingredients like shea butter and beeswax soften and smoothen your lips.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Goes on smoothly
- No feathering or bleeding
- Minimizes lip wrinkles and lines
Cons
- Smudges easily
A plump picture-perfect pout is an ongoing trend. But the struggles start when you have thin lips. Apart from the right application technique and lip prep, you also need the right lipstick to make your thin lips look fuller. If you are spoiled with options available on the market, consider the following factors before making a purchase.
How To Find The Best Lipsticks For Thin Lips
1. Formulation
A lipstick that glides on smoothly and offers buildable coverage is a desirable pick. But, also ensure that the product comes with a lightweight formula so that it does not weigh down your lips. Though a lip plumping lipstick with a glossy finish gives great results, it often makes your lips feel sticky. Ensure to opt for lipstick with moisturizing benefits that keep your lips hydrated for a long duration without making them greasy or sticky.
2. Ingredients
Look for moisturizing ingredients like jojoba oil, olive oil, hyaluronic acid, and other essential oils to get soft, plump lips all day. Ingredients like menthol offers a cooling effect to soothe the lips. Avoid ingredients like parabens, petroleum-based products, lead, synthetic dyes, and artificial fragrances.
3. Additional Features
- Pigmentation: opt for highly pigmented lipsticks with a high color payoff to achieve picture-perfect pout.
- Transfer-Proof: a lipstick with lasting coverage is the best option. Look for one that does not smudge off easily or does not transfer on other surfaces.
- Non-Drying: lipsticks enriched with hydrating ingredients are a perfect choice. They make your lips plump and soft and prevent dryness and visible appearances of lip lines and wrinkles.
- Long-Lasting: lipsticks with long-lasting coverage is a better option to opt for. Go for one that requires lesser touch-ups and provides effective and long-lasting coverage.
Thin lips need lip care essentials like lipsticks and plumpers to define the shape and enhance their appearance. The best lipsticks for thin lips provide you with a fuller appearance. These are highly pigmented and available in various shades to suit your lip type and complement your skin tone. They are the best alternative to invasive lip plumping. Their non-drying formulas glide smoothly over the lips and do not feather. These lipsticks are cruelty-free, smudge-proof, and provide a long-lasting effect. However, some products may be slightly sticky and dry out easily.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author of this article, Baishali Bhattacharya, is certified in makeup artistry and passionate about finding and sharing the best makeup products. She curated this list of the best lipsticks for thin lips keeping affordability and quality in mind. She also checked user feedback, reviews, and product specifications to shortlist the most suitable one for the list. The products on this list are lightweight, smudge-proof, and long-lasting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What color of lipstick makes your lips look bigger?
Lighter shades will always make your lips look plumper. Subtle shades like pale pink or light mauve may enhance the look of your lips.
Should you wear lipstick if you have small lips?
Absolutely! Lipsticks can be applied on any shape of lips. However, avoid using very dark shades on small lips. Go with natural shades that are closer to your skin tone.
At what age do lips start to thin?
With age, our bone density decreases, and our skin starts to shrink. There is no definite age, but usually, our lips start thinning after 50.
Can I wear red lipstick if I have thin lips?
Yes. Red lipstick looks good with any lip shape or size. Wearing a full coverage red shade can also make your lips appear fuller.
Can black lipstick still look good on thin lips?
Yes, black lipstick looks good on thin lips. It helps make your lips look defined and edgy.